07-25-2007, 03:10 PM
CATFISH STOCKINGS TO RESUME WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17-22
There are no scheduled catfish stockings at Urban Fishing Program waters from July 1 through September 15. Once lake temperatures begin to decrease entering the fall season, then catfish stockings can resume again. Deliveries of catfish will restart the week of September 17-22. This fall, a total of four catfish stockings are planned at two week intervals before fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November. Fishing at Urban Program waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
NEW LAKE TO BE ADDED TO URBAN FISHING PROGRAM IN 2008
The five acre Veteran's Oasis Lake in Chandler is set to become the 21st water in the Urban Fishing Program on January 1, 2008. Construction of Chandler's newest city park, Veteran's Oasis Park, located on the northeast corner of Lindsay Road and Chandler Heights Boulevard, is nearly 50% complete. Once the lake is filled in the fall, it will be stocked with juvenile bluegill and largemouth bass. The lake will be approximately 12 feet deep and will include rock habitat for fish, an aeration system and a water recirculation system. The 113-acre project site will include five large wetland basins for groundwater recharge, trails, a park office and education center, a police facility, picnic areas and a play area for children. Game and Fish has been working together with the City of Chandler for the past two years to ensure that all elements for a healthy, attractive fishery are in place, that fish stocking trucks can easily access the lake, and that anglers will have easy, safe access with shade around the lake perimeter. The city hopes to open the park to the public soon after all construction is completed sometime around the beginning of 2008-in the middle of our trout stocking season. The park project is closely modeled after Gilbert's Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch which includes a popular Urban Fishing lake and wetland area abounding in bird life and other wildlife.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish is poor to fair at the various Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. The last seasonal (spring/summer) stocking of catfish was June 29. A few anglers are still catching catfish now and then on stink baits, worms or shrimp fished on the bottom after sundown. Catfish stockings will not resume until the end of summer during the week of September 17-22. Fishing for bluegill is fair for anglers using small pieces of worm, mealworms or doughballs. Use a small hook a couple feet under a pencil bobber and use light leader or line in the 4 pound range. Largemouth bass fishing is slow with the best activity around dawn for anglers using finesse worms rigged dropshot or splitshot style. Fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) is poor for trout, with bass, bluegill and crappie action rated as good if you can get past the weeds.
Remember the Web"¦ www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, Weekly Fishing Reports, to get your own copy of this Urban Fishing Bulletin, or submit your email address to get your name on our bi-weekly email distribution list.
View the Urban Fishing Bulletin on our web site.
There are no scheduled catfish stockings at Urban Fishing Program waters from July 1 through September 15. Once lake temperatures begin to decrease entering the fall season, then catfish stockings can resume again. Deliveries of catfish will restart the week of September 17-22. This fall, a total of four catfish stockings are planned at two week intervals before fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November. Fishing at Urban Program waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
NEW LAKE TO BE ADDED TO URBAN FISHING PROGRAM IN 2008
The five acre Veteran's Oasis Lake in Chandler is set to become the 21st water in the Urban Fishing Program on January 1, 2008. Construction of Chandler's newest city park, Veteran's Oasis Park, located on the northeast corner of Lindsay Road and Chandler Heights Boulevard, is nearly 50% complete. Once the lake is filled in the fall, it will be stocked with juvenile bluegill and largemouth bass. The lake will be approximately 12 feet deep and will include rock habitat for fish, an aeration system and a water recirculation system. The 113-acre project site will include five large wetland basins for groundwater recharge, trails, a park office and education center, a police facility, picnic areas and a play area for children. Game and Fish has been working together with the City of Chandler for the past two years to ensure that all elements for a healthy, attractive fishery are in place, that fish stocking trucks can easily access the lake, and that anglers will have easy, safe access with shade around the lake perimeter. The city hopes to open the park to the public soon after all construction is completed sometime around the beginning of 2008-in the middle of our trout stocking season. The park project is closely modeled after Gilbert's Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch which includes a popular Urban Fishing lake and wetland area abounding in bird life and other wildlife.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish is poor to fair at the various Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. The last seasonal (spring/summer) stocking of catfish was June 29. A few anglers are still catching catfish now and then on stink baits, worms or shrimp fished on the bottom after sundown. Catfish stockings will not resume until the end of summer during the week of September 17-22. Fishing for bluegill is fair for anglers using small pieces of worm, mealworms or doughballs. Use a small hook a couple feet under a pencil bobber and use light leader or line in the 4 pound range. Largemouth bass fishing is slow with the best activity around dawn for anglers using finesse worms rigged dropshot or splitshot style. Fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) is poor for trout, with bass, bluegill and crappie action rated as good if you can get past the weeds.
Remember the Web"¦ www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, Weekly Fishing Reports, to get your own copy of this Urban Fishing Bulletin, or submit your email address to get your name on our bi-weekly email distribution list.
View the Urban Fishing Bulletin on our web site.